Mine explosion in Karaganda region: Death toll rises to 45

Head of the republican operations staff for the liquidation of the aftermath of the accident Minister of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan General-Major Syrym Sharipkhanov descended into the mine, inspecting the sites of the fire and deaths of the miners, Kazinform Agency cites the press service of the Ministery of Emergency of Kazakhstan. 

As of 8:00pm, the bodies of 45 miners were found. The search for one mine worker is underway.

An explosion occurred at 2:33am on October 28 in ArcelorMittal Temirtau's Kostenko coal mine in Karaganda region. 252 people were in the mine during the explosion, 205 of whom were taken to the surface.

The General Prosecutor's Office has launched a criminal investigation into the accident. According to ArcelorMittal Temirtau, there was a methane gas explosion in the lava in the mine, leading to the deaths of mine workers.